FIYou: Adriana Ares Trespalacios

By Joel Delgado ’12, MS ’17

Name: Adriana Ares Trespalacios

Hometown: Miami, FL

Job Title/Department: Assistant Director Administrative Operations, Graham Center, Division of Student Affairs

Campus: MMC

In a nutshell: As the Assistant Director of Administrative Operations for the Graham Center, I oversee the custodial and maintenance operations, Welcome Center, Student Art Gallery, Student Management Program, and assist with building operations, renovation projects and human resources functions.

Number of years at FIU: 8

What do you enjoy most about your job?: Working with our student employees and being able to work on opportunities where we can create or renovate spaces that help promote student success at FIU. This position affords me the opportunity to mix my love for interior design and architectural planning with my ability to work with people.

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your department?: We really listen to students’ needs and advocate for them. Every single decision is based on student impact. Our goal is to continue to make this a true “student-centered” facility.

 Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?: Anywhere in the Graham Center, outside and inside. It’s a perfect mix of relaxation and engagement while providing facilities for students to better their academic responsibilities. It is a place of comfort yet energizing; it’s a meeting place from which some students spring forth their most significant college experiences. Its environment rivals the best universities: a dynamic and high-tech student center.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?: We are unstoppable!

How is FIU “Worlds Ahead”?: The students. The Graham Center staff has the opportunity to participate in commencement ceremonies and we get to hear the stories of those graduates that have accomplished great things — the “Worlds Ahead” graduates. We, the staff, are always impressed and look forward to this part in the program. The families and friends that attend then share these stories and share them with our local community and you hear people talking about FIU everywhere. When I mentioned to my doctor that I worked at FIU, he told me of a story of a student he heard about when he attended his daughter’s graduation!

Family snapshot: My husband, Pablo, from Madrid, Spain, talented with dealing with the “real” me for 10 years! Our 1-year old daughter, Eva Maria, who we can’t get enough of and we are expecting a baby boy in October 2014, Joaquin Angel. My brother, Angel Luis Jr., is a chiropractor and FIU alumnus and my sister, Alejandra, is now an FIU freshman and part of the class of 2018! My mother, Dulce, is the most amazing person on earth and my strength. And my father, Angel Sr., R.I.P., who was one in a million.

Word that best describes you: Loyal.

First paying job: Graham Center Porter Davis Game Room Student Assistant.

Favorite TV show: Right now, Caillou on Sprout. Modern Family is hilarious.

What is playing on your iPod?: Right now, the Frozen soundtrack. Yes, my daughter is taking over! But lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of country music and Josh Groban always!

Your proudest accomplishment: Finishing my master’s degree at FIU’s School of Architecture, Interior Design, while working at the Graham Center, interning with Carnival Cruise Lines, planning a wedding and renovating our home — all in seven months!

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?: Spend time with my family 24/7!